The call from ECHA - the Helsinki-based science organisation driving the implementation of EU legislation on chemicals in relation to human health and the environment - follows a request from the European Commission.
ECHA is examining the case for expanding the restriction on cadmium in plastics from the current 16 specific plastic materials listed in Annex XVII of REACH to all plastic materials.
ECHA is asking for evidence to help identify the impact of this potential expansion.
Anyone who could be affected by a widening of this restriction, or who holds information on relevant uses of cadmium and its compounds in plastics, or on possible alternatives, is invited to submit comments before 11 February 2013 via an online questionnaire available on the ECHA website (link below right).
In particular, the Agency is seeking to identify any additional plastic materials - made in the EU or imported and not covered by the current restriction - which might contain cadmium or cadmium compounds.
The call for evidence provides an opportunity for interested parties to express their views at an early stage in the restriction process.
This information will assist ECHA's development of an Annex XV restriction dossier on the expansion of the restrictions on cadmium in plastics.
The call for evidence does not replace the public consultation on restriction proposals prepared by ECHA, which forms a standard part of the restriction process and will take place later.